Verizon Wireless -- a joint venture between Verizon Communications, Inc. (VZ) and Vodafone Group Plc. (LON:VOD) -- has long been both America's largest network and America's top seller of Android smartphones -- even if other networks sometimes have had better Android smartphones.

According to photographs of apparent internal memos obtained byDroid Life, Thursday, December 8, 2011 could be a huge day for Verizon Wireless. The memo indicates two of the hottest upcoming Android phones -- Nexus Prime and the Droid 4 -- will launch that day.

[Image Source: Droid Life]

The Nexus Prime, the rebranded Galaxy Prime from Samsung Electronics Comp., Ltd. (KS:005930), was officially announced back in the middle of October, but Verizon Wireless -- the device's exclusive carrier -- has been cagey about giving a release date.

The Nexus Prime is distinctive in several ways. First and foremost it's the flagship Android 4 "Ice Cream Sandwich" phone, and may be the only phone for a brief while to carry the new operating system. Second, it sports a distinctive curved face-hugging packaging (though the Verizon model is a bit bulkier and less curved as it has to house the larger battery in the LTE variant, LTE radio chips, etc.).

Lastly, it is only the second Android smartphone to support a higher resolution multi-touch display than Apple, Inc.'s (AAPL) iPhone 4s (720x1280 pixels vs. 640x960 pixels on the iPhone 4S; the iPhone 4S has a higher pixel density screen, though). The other phone -- the Rezound from HTC Corp. (TPE:2498) -- generally has better hardware; but comes with a smaller screen, a worse battery, and is bulkier.

(You may notice the specs are essentially identical to the upcoming Galaxy S II HD LTE, which is rumored to launch on Verizon, except for that the Galaxy S II HD LTE has a microSDHC slot, which the Prime lacks.)

The Droid 4 from Google Inc. (GOOG) subsidiary Motorola is special because it is only the world's second LTE slider phone. (The first, the Samsung Stratosphere, launched last month.)

There are few Android options if you want an Android smartphone equipped with a physical keyboard (slider) and fewer still if you want a top-of-the-line phone hardware-wise. Currently the best sliders available are arguably the Droid 3/Milestone 3 from Motorola (on Verizon Wireless) and the G2 Touch from HTC (on Deutsche Telekom AG's (ETR:DTE) T-Mobile USA). The Droid 4 should soon top that pack. It includes:

4″ Super AMOLED Advanced display

Full 5-row “illuminated” keyboard

RAZR styling

4G LTE

Non-removable battery (maybe)

Android 2.3.5

1080p video recording (assuming 8MP)

Front camera

HDMI out

MotoACTV syncing

With Verizon Wireless's double data promotion in full effect and with two of the most desirable Android smart phones on the market launching, this looks to be one epic day for the carrier, should the leak prove true.

It currently cost 1 cent, 1 little copper on Amazon, which does not look likely for the Galaxy Nexus. Better performance, better screen quality, heavier, bulkier, worse battery life, but it costs $199.98-$299.98 less if you buy it on Amazon right now.

That in mind I just bought one instead of continuing to wait for the Galaxy Nexus. All told I think the Galaxy will be a slightly better device because of pure ICS and form factor. But HTC already confirmed ICS on Rezound in early 2012.

Amazon also has the Razr for a penny and it seems every other phone out there besides the iPhone if anyone else is looking to buy. New Contract required of course.

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